[fjtorres]

The DOJ made it clear in their filings they were not looking for the broadest, harshest punishment, nor even a true restoration of the status quo ante, which is what antitrust usually prescribes (hence the precedents where companies get broken up). All they asked for is for Apple to stop conspiring. Since Apple refuses to even pretend they won't do it again, the least of the available penalties was monitoring.

The next step up, as suggested, would be mandatory carry of competing ebook reading *and* selling apps.
The next step from there would be forced divestiture of iBooks or even the entirety of iTunes, breaking Apple into two: a hardware vendor and a content vendor.

Apple is getting leniency and they don't realize they are getting off lightly. They are instead whining for a free pass that effectively renders the guilty verdict meaningless. They were given a suspended sentence with parole and they are asking to be released free and clear.
That is not going to happen.